Colusa wins first MVL golf match

Colusa High opened its first golf season in the Mid-Valley League with an impressive performance in the opener at the Arbuckle Golf Club on Monday.

The Redskins had the best team score on the front night, shooting a 288 but Durham took the back nine with a team score of 269. Overall, Colusa finished five strokes ahead of the Trojans.

Colusa spent last season in the Sacramento Valley League but the league merged with the MVL after Pierce High went without a golf team this season.

Colusa, Durham and Willows make up the MVL Division II and Los Molinos, Esparto and Williams make up the MVL Division III.

None of the teams were able to get much practice in before the match, Colusa coach Arnie Gross said.

"Everybody's behind right now," Gross said. "I don't think anyone has a real big advantage over anyone."

Los Molinos topped the MVL D-III field on the swing of Zach Mathues, the individual leader who shot a 90. Mathues struggled early in the day, shooting a 52 on the front nine but finished eight strokes ahead of anyone else on the back nine with a 38.

Most of the golfers used the first nine holes as a warm up because none of the teams were able to get much practice in. Mathues played poorly at the start and had too many double bogeys, he said.

"The greens kill you," Mathues said. "They're fast. Putting is not my strong point anyway."

Only one other golfer, Esparto's James Kim, finished under 100 on the day. Kim shot 95 (46/49).

Colusa relied on a strong team effort to pull out the victory. Chris Avila led the Redskins with a 100 (50/50); followed by Brandon Harakh, 101 (52/48); Michael Rew, 110 (58/52); Sheldon Trotchie, 126 (67/59); and Austin Benson, 130 (60/70).

Willows couldn't catch a break in their first day on the course, finishing third in the MVL D-II. Jared Thuemler struggled in the second half and shot a 62 to finish with 117.

Jonathan Solis finished sixth overall with a round of 106 (55/51) but the Yellowjackets couldn't match the depth of the rest of the teams.

Contact Kirk Barron at 458-2121 or kbarron@tcnpress.com.